Parents and teachers have been urged to treat children with dyslexia disorder (learning difficulty) with care and patience, saying they are not abnormal.
The appeal was made by an Education Consultant and school proprietor, Ms Roseline Yuhe, while giving insights on the best ways for parents and teachers to handle children with dyslexia.
While speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria in Bwara, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), she explained that it is a learning disorder, characterised by difficulty in reading and occurs in children with normal vision and intelligence.
Yuhe added, “It is a learning disability that makes reading and language-related tasks harder. It happens because of disruptions in how the brain processes writing.
“Most people learn they have dyslexia during childhood, and it’s typically a lifelong issue, also known as developmental dyslexia.
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“Dyslexia falls under the umbrella of a specific learning disorder, categorised into three, namely; Reading (dyslexia), Writing (dysgraphia) and Math (dyscalculia).”
She stressed that children with such challenges are not abnormal, and urged parents to encourage them and remain relentless in supporting them.
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“The child is perfectly okay and will succeed in life. The only thing is that the child may not read as quickly as his or her age mates or classmates, but definitely, the child will read with consistent efforts on the part of teachers and parents,” she added.
According to Yuhe, learning to read involves connecting sounds to different written symbols and letters, which is where dyslexia enters the picture.
She said that dyslexia is capable of interfering with how the brain uses spoken language to decode writing.
“With dyslexia, the brain has trouble processing what is read, especially breaking words into sounds or relating letters to sounds when reading,” the educationist further explained.
She noted that genetic and environmental factors may be responsible for dyslexia while linking it to family genes, prenatal conditions such as exposure to toxins, birth complications and early childhood experiences.
She listed difficulty in spelling simple words, trouble learning the names of letters, trouble rhyming, and trouble associating sounds with letters or parts of words as signs of dyslexia.
Others, she said include trouble learning how sounds go together, mixing up the position of sounds in a word, and trouble sounding out new words.
Yuhe, however, said that dyslexia is not a learning disability that parents should panic about, adding, “Once you are consistent with the use of sound practice, it becomes mild with time and may be unnoticed.
“Even when we identify it in school, too often we just work with the teacher to help the child because when one sees it as a learning disability, you may just give up without putting in the required efforts.
“Handling children with dyslexia requires a patient and supportive approach. Early identification and intervention is crucial.
“If you suspect your child has dyslexia, consult professionals such as psychologists, educational therapists, or special education teachers to get formal diagnosis and guidance.”
She also advised parents to create a supportive environment for such a child, while also encouraging the child to embrace his or her strengths, reassuring them that dyslexia does not define their intelligence or potential.
Yuhe added that open communication and multisensory learning routines such as the use of visual aids, hands-on activities, and auditory cues to reinforce learning would go a long way to assist the child.
She advised, “Encourage your child to explore activities they excel in, such as art, music, sports, or problem-solving; this can boost their confidence and self-esteem.
“Teach your child self-advocacy skills, such as expressing their needs, seeking help when necessary and understanding their rights.
“These skills will empower them to navigate educational settings effectively.
“Remember that every child with dyslexia is unique, and it’s important to tailor approach to their specific needs.”
(NAN)
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